Why is my dishwasher leaving a white residue on everything?

[foreverchangingname]

It seems to happen when I add salt and then it goes all funny. Too much salt? What am I doing wrong? I've got some expensive new cutlery and it looks awful already because of all these stains going on everything.

[PigletJohn]

if you are putting the salt in the correct reservoir, and screwing the cap back on tightly, it will not be caused by too much salt unless there is a fault.

Scrape off some of this residue, see if it dissolves in cold water and tastes of salt. If not, see if it dissolves in hot water (detergent) or in vinegar (lime scale)

Once you know what it is composed of, your approach will be easier to find.

In case the detergent flap is not opening correctly, try throwing the tablet into the cutlery rack, instead of the detergent compartment, and see if that helps.

Another cause of undissolved detergent is heater not working, so open the door in mid-wash and check that the water is very hot.

[lubeybooby]

Do you use rinse aid too?

[PigletJohn]

p.s. you are of course using dishwasher salt granules, not cooking, sea, table or rock salt?

[bubbles4]

Do you live in a soft water area,this happened to me and when I rang the manufactures helpline,they told me not to use salt if in a soft water area.

[foreverchangingname]

Wow Piglet that's amazing advice. I will try that.

No it's a hard water area.

Will top up the rinse aid too.

[Beaverfeaver]

I had this and couldn't get rid even after having salt and rinse aid all topped up.

Someone recommended I used cheap White vinegar.

So I bought a bottle and poured some into a cup and sat it in the bottom of the dishwasher. And ran a cycle.

All is now fine and clear and shiny with no residue.

Best thing is that it only cost about 45p!

[foreverchangingname]

That's impressive. I will buy some today. So do you do this every time now or just sometimes and how much did you use?

[Beaverfeaver]

I used it for the first time about 3 months ago and have only needed to do it again in the last few weeks.

Some people use it instead of rinse aid and says that it gives good sparkle.

When such simple and cheap things work so well it really makes me think that these cleaning product companies are royally ripping us off.

[foreverchangingname]

Yep it was the £1 bottle of vinegar (a large one) or a £4 special single use dishwasher cleaner! So glad I went for the vinegar...

[Scoundrel]

Did you run the White vinegar cycle whilst the machine was empty? Thanks

[SolarPrestigeAGammon]

I use vinegar as well. Feel there are enough chemicals in the dishwasher without rinse aid. Vinegar is great.

[foreverchangingname]

I chucked half a cup of vinegar in the bottom before it started and it was about half full. Will do it every time until it starts coming out properly clean.